Tool device for manufacturing a rim, and rim, and use

Abstract

A tool device and its use for manufacturing a bicycle rim, having opposite rim flanks, a rim well and a rim base and rim flanges configured on the radially outwardly ends of the rim flanks, wherein the tool device includes two molding devices and a circular device. The circular device forms the rim well and the axially inwardly oriented surfaces of the rim flanges. The circular device includes an annular unit of a less elastic material and at least one cover of a more elastic material. Alternately, the molding devices each include a molding unit of a less elastic material and at least one cover of a more elastic material, for attachment thereto. The thickness of the cover is between one eighth of the minimum wall thickness of the rim well of the rim manufactured and eight times the minimum wall thickness of the rim well of the rim manufactured.

1 . A tool device for manufacturing a rim for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles and in particular bicycles, having opposite rim flanks, a rim well and a rim base, and rim flanges configured on the rim flanks,
 comprising: two molding devices and a circular device;   wherein the molding devices each comprise contact surfaces for forming at least part of a rim flank and the external visible surface of the rim flanges;   the circular device forms the rim well and the axially inwardly oriented surfaces of the rim flanges;   the circular device comprises an annular unit, and the molding devices each comprise a molding unit;
 at least one of the units of an annular unit and molding units comprise a core of a less elastic material and at least one cover for attachment thereto, of a more elastic material; 
 and the thickness of the cover is between one eighth of the minimum wall thickness of the rim well of the rim manufactured and eight times the minimum wall thickness of the rim well of the rim manufactured. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular device comprises an annular unit of a less elastic material and at least one ring cover of a more elastic material,
 and wherein the molding devices each comprise a molding unit of a less elastic material and at least one mold cover for attachment thereto of a more elastic material.   
     
     
         3 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cover is between 0.16 mm and 6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the ring cover and/or of the mold cover ( 51   b ,  61   b ) is configured more elastic than is the material of the annular unit and/or the molding devices. 
     
     
         5 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein in a radially inwardly region, the circular device comprises a contact surface for forming the rim well. 
     
     
         6 . The tool device according to  claim 5 , wherein the circular device comprises two separate, axially spaced-apart pressing rings, which match the inner outline of the rim flange. 
     
     
         7 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the coefficient of elasticity of the materials of the annular unit and of the ring cover is higher than 2 or 5, and/or wherein the ratio of the coefficient of elasticity of the materials of the molding unit and of the mold cover is higher than 2 or 5. 
     
     
         8 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring cover and the mold cover consist at least in part of a material taken from a group of materials comprising rubber-like materials and silicone materials. 
     
     
         9 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the ring cover and/or the mold cover is more than 0.5 mm and/or less than 5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the ring cover is greater than half the axial width of the rim flange and/or less than three times the axial width of the rim flange. 
     
     
         11 . The tool device according to  claim 1 , wherein for manufacturing two rims in different dimensions, the same annular unit may be employed by means of different ring covers. 
     
     
         12 . A use of a tool device for manufacturing a rim for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles and in particular bicycles, wherein the tool device is configured according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A rim for at least partially muscle-powered vehicles and in particular bicycles with opposite rim flanks, a rim well and a rim base, where the rim flanks meet in the radially most inwardly point, manufactured from at least one fibrous composite material, using a tool device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The rim according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer surface that is visible in operation as intended, is at least predominantly formed of the at least one fibrous composite material, and wherein the outer surface visible in operation as intended, does not, at least predominantly, comprise a varnish coat.